Harold Camping, whose claim to fame is his failed predictions concerning Christ’ return, has now decided to forget about evangelism and focus only on those who are saved. I wish he would take it a step further and just forget about preaching altogether. He has proven time and time again that he is a false teacher. However, if he is willing to repent and continue preaching he needs to get his priorities straight.

Having made a fool out of himself, he just confirms the fact that he is not in tune with what the Bible teaches by this action. Anytime we remove evangelism from our things to do list we are majoring on minors. After all, winning people to Christ is the first step in the Great Commission. There is something seriously wrong with a Christian or a church that makes no effort to win the lost to Christ.

It is sad to hear about false teachers who deceive people, but it is sadder still that so many people follow them. It’s like I’ve often said, “You can get on a soap box on a street corner and preach anything loud enough and long enough and eventually you will get a following”. History proves that is true. You can get people to believe the most crazy and foolish things you can imagine if you are intent on doing so.

Here’s the bottom-line –We each have to look out for ourselves if we are to avoid error. That means we must think for ourselves, rather than depending on what others tell us–even if they are so-called “experts” or “messengers from God”. In addition to that we must be well versed in the Bible. God’s Word is the only sure standard of right and wrong, the only source of absolute truth. If we aren’t knowledgeable of the Bible we are certain to fall into error. When all is said and done, it is up to us to protect ourselves. Never allow anyone to do your thinking for you and don’t believe something just because a preacher says it is so. With the Bible as your guide and the Holy Spirit as your teacher you have everything you need to live as you should (2 Peter 1:3-4).

We are in a spiritual warfare and your mind is the battlefield (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Our only protection is the truth and the only source of truth is God’s Word. Let the Bible be your guide and you’ll never fall prey to the false teachers who would deceive and destroy you. That’s why the Psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee”(Psalm 119:11). While we should blame the false teachers for their false teaching, we each must accept full responsibility for ourselves. Those in possession of the Bible have no excuse for their errors. God has given us the truth and He holds us accountable for our beliefs and behavior. Think about it!

Have you ever noticed how your ears perk up when you hear a name you recognize? When a conversation involves someone we know we take an interest in it. We can listen to a news report of a terrible tragedy and never raise an eyebrow, but as soon as it involves somebody we know we’re all ears, and our heart is moved with sympathy.

That’s how it was, in a measure, when I heard about the tornado that ripped through Joplin, Missouri, and killed at least 125 people. I was born and raised in Springfield and often visited Joplin, mostly to play ball –so I have lots of memories about the place. My two sisters live near Joplin, so it’s only natural that I was concerned about the path of the storm and relieved when my sister called to say they were fine.

When I hear about disasters in places unknown to me I don’t pay too much attention, but if it happens in a place that I’m familiar with or to people I know, I have an entirely different point of view. I can read the obituaries and not be moved emotionally–until suddenly I see a name that I recognize. Then it’s a different story.

Maybe there’s a lesson in this for us. Everything I’ve said so far is natural. It is impossible for us to feel the same way about a stranger as we do those we know and love. However, we must not treat people as though they have no needs just because we don’t know them. We would do better to view every contact with others as an opportunity. There is not a person on earth that God isn’t concerned about. God loves the world, Jesus tasted death for every man, and we are sent to the whole world to preach the gospel to every creature. How then can we be unconcerned about anyone? We have a God-given ministry to everyone we meet. It might be for just a fleeting moment where we have time for nothing more than a smile, or a nod, or a kind word, but hopefully we make a good impression.

Everyday we meet people who have great needs and are deeply troubled. They don’t wear a sign around their neck saying, “Help”, and they won’t tell us what’s going on in their life, but we should never assume that they don’t have any needs. They don’t know you and they’re not going to tell you about their troubles. They would resent it if you tried to pry into their private life, and they aren’t looking for your advice. But everyone appreciates good manners or a smile. It’s just a little thing, but it’s something. And little things can sometimes accomplish big things. Even if they derive no benefit from their brief encounter with us, it is helpful for our sake to think about them as a person with needs.

Some of the people we meet are rude and inconsiderate, and some are as mean as a junk-yard dog, but they’re that way for a reason. If you knew their whole story you would view them in a different light. I suspect you would be shocked if you knew what was going on in the lives of others. Chances are good that some of them are handling their situation better than you would were you in the same boat. So, let’s not be too hard about judging them.

Since we are the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth”, we should be concerned about making a good impression so that we might impact the lives of others. Do you really want to be a blessing to others? Then be considerate of them. Sometimes a random act of kindness shown to someone we don’t know can have a more powerful effect than a expensive gift given to those we know. Everybody expects kindness from those they know, but they are surprised and greatly pleased when they see a good deed from a perfect stranger.

You don’t have to know someone twenty years before you take an interest in their life and do them some good. Every person who crosses your path has a story to tell and a need.Consider your “chance” meeting as a God-given opportunity to bring a ray of sunshine into someone’s dreary life. Even if it helps nobody else, it will do you good–you will be blessed for having done so. All the needy people don’t live in Joplin, Missouri–some of them live right next door, or under the same roof with you, and some of them you will meet later today–be ready. It shouldn’t take a tornado to make us aware of people’s needs. Think about it!